Self-sealing inflatable balloon

ABSTRACT

This disclosure falls within the field of inflatable balloons and refers to a self-sealing inflatable balloon ( 1 ) comprising a lateral flap ( 3 ) connected to a neck ( 2 ), forming a single structure, where the end of the lateral flap ( 3 ) is covered with an adhesive coating ( 5 ), protected by a removable protective strip ( 4 ), applied over its full length, and where the aforesaid protective strip ( 4 ) is removed by the user during its use by extracting the applicable section  4 ( b ), thereby allowing for the complete sealing of the balloon, in a practical, fast, effective manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) INFORMATION

This application is a U.S. national stage, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 371,of PCT International Application No.: PCT/BR2018/050195, filed Jun. 15,2018, published as WO2019/0010553A1, which claims priority to Brazilianapplication No. BR 20 2017 015074-2, filed Jul. 13, 2017, published asBR 20 2017 015074-2 U2, the contents of all of which are herebyincorporated by reference, and via attachment as appendices, in theirentirety.

This disclosure refers to inflatable balloons with a self-sealingfeature, specifically self-sealing inflatable latex balloons.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Latex balloons are commonly used as party decorations worldwide. Theycan be inflated manually (by the user blowing into the balloon'sopening, up to the desired balloon size) or with the use of valves,which tend to make the process more costly, despite ultimately renderingit more practical.

Despite the widespread use of balloons, the process of tying off latexballoons is still quite outmoded and rudimentary, involving the useeither of threads, strings, or adhesive tapes, or the tying of “knots”on the balloons themselves, which often injures the fingers, isphysically demanding and time-consuming, especially when inflating alarge number of balloons. In addition, there is a risk that the aircould “leak”/escape from the balloon, on account of a defective knot.

So, several devices/products have been proposed to render the balloonsealing process more practical and effective.

Document BR 20 2014 008693 0 describes an air lock for inflatableballoons, comprising a plastic device that folds in half to prevent theair from leaking out of the balloons. On one side of the device, thereis an open space between the end and the mid-section, which fits intothe opposite side, equipped with a lock spanning from the end to themiddle of the structure. By folding the device on the neck of theballoon, the lock attaches to the cutoff section, preventing the airfrom leaking out.

Another balloon sealing and holding device is described in document PI0104713-2. This document describes a item that is preferably made ofplastic material, to be inserted and fastened onto the neck of theballoon, to prevent the air from leaking out.

Document MU 8100609-8 references a plastic fastener that folds in half,producing two lateral sections, which can be used to press the neck ofthe balloon closed. To ensure that the sealing is effective, one of thelateral sections is equipped with a pin, which inserts into a hole onthe opposite lateral section.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,392 describes a multipurpose device to sealoff an inflatable balloon. The device comprises two wingsinterconnecting through a hinge to allow movement, spanning from anopening to an interconnected position. The inflated balloon body is keptbetween this position and a sealing device assembled on one of thewings, passing through an opening and interconnecting to the other wing,to seal off the body of the balloon.

The problem with the above inventions is that all propose a device toseal an inflatable balloon, which is separate and independent from therespective balloon. Such devices fail to provide a practical, effectivesolution to the end user, as they are subject to wear and tear overtime, or they could be lost, or, yet, their means of attaching to andsealing the balloon could damage and tear the balloon, causing it toempty.

Other approaches have been attempted, to find a better solution for thesealing of inflatable balloons. Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,063describes a sealing device consisting of a pliable strip connected to aflexible fastening string. The user should encircle the neck of theinflated balloon with the strip, which is covered on one side with apressure-sensitive adhesive, and thereby executes the sealing when thestrip is folded onto the string on the neck of the balloon.

In addition, the above document further proposes that the balloon besealed with the use of an external device, separate from the balloon,which renders the process unpractical and ineffective, since the sealingproposed with the pliable strip is extremely fragile.

Document GB 2 200 299 describes an inflatable balloon where a section ofits neck is folded onto itself, and an annular portion of that sectionis covered with a contact adhesive. Once the balloon is inflated, thatportion is unfolded (exposing the adhesive), allowing for the sealing tooccur when the neck is pressed onto the adhesive section.

The problem with this invention is that all the pressure exerted by thegas contained inside the balloon is borne solely by the direct contactwith the adhesive on the inside surface of the neck. This makes thedevice liable to leaking and emptying due to the likeliness that theadhesive on the inside surface of the neck will debond, especially sincethe balloon will likely be submitted to numerous situations of “stress”during its use, as well as pressure fluctuations due to pressing on itssurface, temperature variations, etc.

Purposes of this Disclosure

One of the purposes of this disclosure is to produce a self-sealinginflatable balloon that forgoes the use of “knots” on the neck of theballoon, thereby affording the user a very practical sealing method.

Another purpose of this disclosure is to produce a self-sealinginflatable balloon made of latex.

An additional purpose of this disclosure is to produce a self-sealinginflatable balloon equipped with a simple, low-cost sealing device,which is easy to use by users of all ages.

One technique in this disclosure comprises providing a sealing devicecomprising a neck of balloon and a latex flap extending laterally,forming a single (whole) structure therewith.

Another technique of this disclosure comprises applying an adhesivecoating at the end of the lateral flap, which will be protected with theapplication of a removable protective strip, allowing the user to exposethe adhesive coating by removing the strip when sealing the balloon, ina practical, fast, and easy manner.

Therefore, it remains clear that this new self-sealing inflatableballoon, comprising a single neck and lateral flap unit, with theapplication of an adhesive coating to the end of said flap, protected bya removable protective strip, produces a functional improvement in itsuse, as compared to the similar prior creations.

Other purposes and advantages of this disclosure will be establishedwith the following detailed description, considering the drawingsattached.

Overview

The purposes and the techniques involved in this disclosure are achievedwith the self-sealing inflatable balloon employing the principle of atourniquet to activate the sealing device, thereby rendering the sealingmore reliable, secure, and effective. This balloon is made of latex and,in the primary model, comprises a neck connected to a lateral flap, madeof the same material as the balloon, forming a single unit. An adhesivecoating is applied to the end of this flap, which is protected by aremovable protective strip, covering the adhesive coating. The end ofthe removable protective strip that is not superposed over the lateralflap constitutes a tag, to be pulled by the user when sealing theballoon.

According to this invention, to use the balloon described in thisdisclosure, the user should execute the following steps:

(i) fill the balloon with air by blowing into its opening, to thedesired size;

(ii) twist the neck of the balloon around its own center;

(iii) stretch the lateral flap and encircle it around the neck of theballoon to its full length;

(iv) pull the tab, thereby removing the removable protective strip andexposing the adhesive coating;

(v) press the top side of the flap, with the adhesive coating, onto theneck of the balloon, thereby achieving an effective, long-lasting seal.

A constructive variation of this disclosure comprises an inflatableballoon with a neck connected to a lateral flap, made of the samematerial as the balloon, with an opening near the neck of the balloon,forming a single unit. The end of this flap is also covered with anadhesive coating, protected by a removable protective strip, appliedover the coating. The end of the removable protective strip that is notsuperposed over the lateral flap constitutes a tag, to be pulled by theuser when sealing the balloon.

In this constructive variation, the user should execute the followingsteps to use it:

(i) fill the balloon with air by blowing into its opening, to thedesired size;

(ii) twist the neck of the balloon around its own center;

(iii) stretch the lateral flap and encircle it around the neck of theballoon;

(iv) pass the flap through the opening;

(v) pull the tab, thereby removing the protective strip and exposing theadhesive coating;

(vi) press the top side of the flap, with the adhesive coating, onto theneck of the balloon, thereby achieving an effective, long-lasting seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In this description, similar parts existing in both the primary modeland the constructive variation are represented by the same referencenumbers.

FIG. 1 shows a front schematic view of the primary model of the balloon(1) prior to use.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show, respectively, a front and rear view of thelateral flap (3) within the primary model, and the proper positioning ofthe adhesive coating (5) and the removable protective strip (4).

FIGS. 3(a-d) show, schematically, the sequence of movements and steps toseal the balloon (1), according to a primary model of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a front schematic view of a constructive variation of theballoon (1), prior to use.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show, respectively, a front and rear view of thelateral flap according to the constructive variation conceived for thisdisclosure, and the proper positioning of the opening (7) on the lateralflap (3), the adhesive coating (5), and the removable protective strip(4).

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the position taken by thelateral flap (3) around the neck of the balloon (not shown), prior tothe removal of the protective strip (4), in the constructive variationconceived for this disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the balloon (1), once inflated and ready tobe sealed, upon the removal of the applicable section (4 b) of theprotective strip (4).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject of this disclosure is made of latex, with features thatensure a practical, fast, effective sealing process, with the use of asimple, low-cost, easy to handle device.

According to the primary model, as shown in FIG. 1, this model comprisesan inflatable balloon made of latex (1), with a neck area (2) connectedto a lateral flap (3), also made of latex, forming a single unit. Theend of said flap is covered with an adhesive coating (5), protected by aremovable protective strip (4), applied over its full length.

FIG. 2(a) shows a front view of the lateral flap (3), with theprotective strip (4). To allow for better understanding, FIG. 2(a) isportrayed without the protective strip (4) in the proper position to beused, that is to say, covering the adhesive coating (5). This view showsthe two sections of the strip (4): the section (4 a) covering the abovementioned coating (5), thereby preventing the premature adhesion of theadhesive coating (5); and the other section (4 b), positioned outsidethe flap (3). It is through this section (4 b) that the user will removethe protective strip (4) from the flap (3).

FIG. 2(b) shows a rear view of the lateral flap (3), showing in detailthe section (4 b) with the protective strip (4).

Once the inflatable balloon has been inflated (1) and the neck has beentwisted around its own center (2), the steps to seal off the balloon areillustrated in FIGS. 3(a-d). FIG. 3(a) shows the inflated balloon (1)ready to be sealed off, at which point the user should stretch thelateral flap (3) and encircle it around the neck (2) of the balloon (1),in the direction indicated by the arrow.

FIG. 3(b) shows the continuation of the movement illustrated in FIG.3(a), where the flap (3) should encircle the neck (2), to its fulllength.

FIG. 3(c) illustrates the moment when the user (not shown) should pullthe section (4 b) (only after the whole flap (3) has encircled the neck(2)), thereby removing the protective strip (4), to expose the adhesivecoating.

Once the adhesive coating has been exposed (5), it is pressed againstthe neck (2), thereby achieving the full sealing of the balloon (1), asillustrated in FIG. 3(d).

As shown in FIG. 4, the constructive variation conceived for thisdisclosure comprises an inflatable balloon made of latex (1), with itsneck area (2) connected to a lateral flap (3), also made of latex,forming a single unit. Near the neck area, there is an opening in theflap (7), through which the flap will pass during the sealing process.The end of said flap is covered with an adhesive coating (5), protectedby a removable protective strip (4), applied throughout its full length.

FIG. 5(a) shows a front view of the lateral flap (3), with theprotective strip (4) conceived for the constructive variation. To allowfor better understanding, FIG. 5(a) is portrayed without the protectivestrip (4) covering the adhesive coating (5). This view exposes the twosections of the strip (4): the section (4 a) covering the abovementioned coating (5), thereby preventing the premature adhesion of theadhesive coating (5); and the section (4 b) outside the flap (3). It isthrough this section (4 b) that the user will remove the protectivestrip (4) from the flap (3).

FIG. 5(b) presents a rear view of the lateral flap (3), showing indetail the opening (7) and the section (4 b) with the protective strip(4).

In this constructive variation, once the balloon is inflated (1), theuser will twist the neck (2) around its own center and encircle thelateral flap (3) around said neck. Then, the flap is inserted into theopening (7) and pulled, to assure that the whole flap/neck structure isfirmly adhered, as shown in FIGS. 6 (balloon not shown) and 7 (balloonshown).

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate that the opening (7) works as an additional lock toenhance the effectiveness of the sealing of the balloon. Once the flapis inserted (3) into the lock, the flap is encircled around the neck ofthe balloon (1) to its full length. Then, the protective strip (4) isremoved from the flap (3), thereby exposing the adhesive coating (5).

Once the adhesive coating has been exposed (5), it is pressed againstthe neck (2), thereby achieving the full sealing of the balloon (1).

The constructive variation illustrated here preserves the same body andtechnical-functional unit of the primary model described herein.

1. A self-sealing inflatable balloon (1) wherein it comprises a lateralflap (3) connected to the neck (2), making up a single structure, wherethe end of the lateral flap (3) is covered with an adhesive coating (5),which is protected by a removable protective strip (4), applied over itsfull length, wherein the aforesaid protective strip (4) is removed withthe extraction of its section (4 b) when the balloon is closed (1). 2.The self-sealing inflatable balloon of claim 1, wherein with regard tothe lateral flap (3) connected to the neck (2), making up a singlestructure, where the end of the lateral flap (3) is covered with anadhesive coating (5), which is protected by a removable protective strip(4) applied over its full length, the protective strip (4) is removedwith the extraction of the section (4 b) when the balloon is sealed (1),and there is an opening (7) in the lateral flap (3) near the neck area(2).